Moving On | Percy x Artemis

eleven

A R T E M I S

I am honestly surprised that Perseus Jackson is still here. He sits across from me on a log, the firelight dancing across his face. He looks older in this light, like in his short life he's been through enough to last many lifetimes.

"Still here?" I ask. "I thought for sure you'd have run away by now."

He isn't looking at me, but rather at his feet. "What's the point? You would just catch me again."

He has a point but I don't like his tone of voice. He is disrespectful, and I'm worried that if this continues he will not come back to Olympus quietly.

"So you will come back with me then?"

I know what he is going say before he says it.

"No."

I draw myself up, sitting on the log as if it's my throne. "Then I will bring you back by force. Do not think because you have defeated gods before you will escape from me."

Now he looks at me, his eyes flashing in the darkness, there is defiance in his features and lack of sleep too. "You really think you can force me to go back?"

"Yes," I look back at him, daring him to argue.

His lip curls up slightly and he shakes his head. Anger flares up inside of me, if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be on this wild goose chase.

"Why did you even run away in the first place?" I want to wipe the smirk off his face. He doesn't answer my question, but his eyes turn back to the ground.

"I met your mother and your friends and they all miss you. Why would you leave something like that?" Maybe I want to hurt him a little, but I also want the truth for once. It can't really have been just because a mortal girl died.

"They're doing just fine without me," Percy answered finally. His voice was emotionless.

"You are avoiding my questions," I say.

"Because I don't want to answer them," His eyes flick back to me and he looks almost angry now. "How about I ask you a question? Why did the gods send you to look for me?"

I am taken aback by his question. If I was to answer truthfully it would be because the other gods don't appreciate everything I do. They think I am just a messenger, someone who can do all the dirty work for them, and I am so tired of it.

But I just say, "They thought I would be the best person to handle you."

Percy laughs without humour, "And do you think you can handle me?"

"I can handle anything, Perseus Jackson."

He doesn't look like he believes me. He shakes his head and looks up at the stars. "And the gods need me, why?"

The anger inside me burned again, but this time at the gods. Apparently I'm not even important enough to know exactly why this demigod is needed. For all I know they're just trying to get me out of the way. I agreed to this because Thalia wanted to do it, but I am clueless.

"Because you are powerful," I say. "Or so I've heard."

He frowns at this. "Powerful?"

"Thalia says you are one of the most powerful demigods to ever live," I say, trying to not make it sound like a complement.

"Ha," Percy says. "So they need me so they can use me?"

All they do is use people.

I don't say anything. It's quiet for a while as the fire crackles and the stars shine above.

"They're using you too," He says quietly.

I look over at him, I want to retort angrily and tell him he's being disrespectful to me and to my family. But a small part of me knows he is right.

"You can't seriously tell me you don't have more important things to do than look for a stray demigod?" Percy pushes.

I am finished with this conversation and I am finished with this boy pretending to understand me. I stand up suddenly and he looks a little unnerved.

"I am doing my job and my job is to bring you back to Olympus. So if you would like to return in one piece, I suggest you comply." I walk away from the fire and into the darkness where I can calm my anger. This trip could not end quick enough for me. 

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author's note

sorry about the short chapters, hopefully they'll be longer soon.

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